Green Circle Solutions was proud to continue its partnership with the European Association for International Education (EAIE) for its 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition, held at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow from 8–11 September 2026.
For EAIE, sustainability is no longer simply an ambition. It is increasingly embedded into how its flagship event is planned, procured and delivered.
Having tracked the carbon impact of its annual conference for four years, EAIE has continued to strengthen its approach, using better data to inform decisions and taking some bold steps to reduce impact.
One of the most significant developments for 2026 was the decision to mandate carbon footprint measurement for all stand build and official contractors, using the Green Circle Solutions carbon calculator.
Visitor travel data was also captured through the GCS Visitor Travel Carbon Calculator, embedded directly into the conference registration process.
It is an approach which recognises a simple reality: if organisations want to reduce their environmental impact, they first need robust data to understand where that impact comes from.
From measurement to action
EAIE's approach goes well beyond carbon reporting. Travel is a major contributor to the footprint of an international conference, particularly one bringing together thousands of participants from across Europe and beyond.
EAIE actively encouraged delegates to choose rail rather than air travel wherever practical and partnered with Eurail/Interrail to make travelling by train more accessible. The initiative resulted in strong uptake of rail journeys from both continental Europe and the UK.
The organisation also considers sustainability credentials when selecting conference destinations and venues, making environmental performance part of the decision-making process rather than something considered once a venue has already been selected.
At Glasgow 2026, further measures included:
- removing aisle carpet from the exhibition;
- a fully vegetarian menu across organiser-controlled food and beverage outlets;
- a reusable cup scheme;
- a dedicated Sustainability Hub on the exhibition floor;
- sustainability workshops and conference sessions;
- encouraging lower-carbon travel choices;
- mandatory carbon footprint reporting for stand builders and official contractors; and
- transparent communication with participants, exhibitors, suppliers and other stakeholders about progress.
EAIE also provided participants with access to public transport in Glasgow, while its conference programme included dedicated sessions exploring sustainability, social responsibility and greener mobility.
Making carbon measurement part of the event
Green Circle Solutions has worked with EAIE to build increasingly robust carbon data around the conference.
The partnership began by helping EAIE move from estimates and assumptions towards reliable event data. In 2025, GCS tools were already being used to capture visitor travel, stand build, supplier and staff travel information, providing EAIE with a much clearer picture of its impact and helping it establish meaningful KPIs.
Glasgow 2026 represented another step forward.
Making carbon reporting mandatory for stand build and official contractors is particularly significant. While many organisations encourage their supply chains to provide sustainability data, making it a requirement creates much greater consistency and enables organisers to build a more complete picture of their event footprint.
It also sends a clear signal that environmental performance is becoming part of doing business within the events industry.
David Humphreys, Director at Green Circle Solutions, said: "EAIE deserves enormous credit because it is prepared to turn its sustainability ambitions into action. It isn't simply asking people to behave differently. It is looking at its own decisions, its suppliers, its venues, its food, its travel strategy and the way it collects data.
"Making carbon measurement mandatory for stand builders and contractors is a particularly important step. You cannot manage what you don't measure, and better data gives EAIE the evidence it needs to understand where change will have the greatest impact.
"What is equally important is their transparency. Sustainability is a journey and nobody has all the answers. EAIE is prepared to measure, learn, communicate its progress and then keep raising the bar."
Putting its money where its sustainability ambitions are
Perhaps what distinguishes EAIE's approach is its willingness to make decisions which have practical and commercial implications. Encouraging thousands of international participants to reconsider how they travel, setting requirements for suppliers, changing catering provision and integrating carbon measurement into event processes all require commitment.
But that is ultimately how sustainability moves from aspiration to business practice.
EAIE's stated goal is to achieve a Net Zero Annual Conference and Exhibition, alongside reducing its footprint, encouraging responsible action and limiting unnecessary additional business travel.
Green Circle Solutions is delighted to continue supporting EAIE on that journey.
For the wider events industry, there is plenty to learn from its approach:
1. start measuring
2. make sustainability part of procurement and event design
3. engage suppliers and visitors
4. communicate openly
5. use the data to keep improving.
Want to better understand the carbon footprint of your event, exhibition or organisation? Green Circle Solutions provides carbon measurement tools, consultancy, training and practical support to help organisations move from ambition to measurable action.